Hot gas gate



Nov. 6, 1934. K. F. JUENGLING HOT GAS GATE Filed May 6, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l @rMen/Ey;

Nov. 6, 1934. K. F. 'JUENGLING 1,979,885

HOT GAS GATE Filed May 6, 1931 2 She-,ef,s 5h( 3.eJL 2 nf@ f6 22 Kga E JUE/V@ /A/G ATTOP/wm Patented Nov. 6, 1934 v nire S TNT FFICE The invention particularly relates to improvea housing member supported by said flange and ments in a gate utilized for opening and closing within which the operating mechanism is cona passage in a hot gas conduit in which the gases tained. This housing member forms a complete derived from gas producers, blast furnaces, and closure Vand efciently protects the contained the like, are handled. mechanism from dust and dirt.

The objects of the invention are to produce a The annexed drawings and the following degate of this character which is of economical scription set forth in detail certain means emmanufacture and easily controlled, whichis durbodying my invention, such means disclosing, able, which insures a positive and accurate mainhowever, but one of the various forms in which tenance of the control plate upon its seat, and the the principle of the invention may be applied. 65

operating mechanism for which is supported In said annexed drawings: upon one of the seat members only and is dis- Figure 1 is a vertical section of my improved posed entirely exteriorly of and around the gas hot gas gate, taken in the plane indicated by the conduit and can be applied to the conduit-closline 1 1, Figure 2, which is axially of the gas ing gate plate at a plurality of closely adjacent conduit with which the improved gate is incor l! points so as to insure a symmetrical and balporated; anced condition of the plate and its seats at all Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section, taken times without interfering with any of the conin the planes indicated by the line 22, Figure 1; nections rigidly uniting the gas conduit sections Figure 3 is a section taken at right angles to 30 or rigidly uniting the conduit anges upon which the plane of section of Figure l, the plane being the seat operating mechanism is located. Still indicated by the line 3 3, Figure 2, and there further objects of the invention are the producbeing shown in this Figure 3 the improved gate tion of a device which can be mounted in a relaproper and its operating mechanism in connectively small transverse opening between the adtion with the adjacent ends of the gas conduit jacent conduit ends and which will occupy a sections; go small space lengthwise of the conduit; a device Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of part of the which will not be aiected by expansion or conelements shown in Figure 3, upon an enlarged traction of one or both of theconduit sections scale; vwhen the latter are used for conducting gases Figure 5 is a fragmentary transverse. vertical of varying temperature; a device in which one of section, upon an enlarged scale, taken in the the conduit sections can be tilted or moved axplanes indicated by the line 5 5, Figure l; ially relative to the other section without affect- Figure 6 is a fragmentary section, taken in the ing the tightness of the seat elements with the plane indicated by the line 6-S, Figure 4; and gate plate; a device in which novel and positive Figure '7 is a fragmentary view of the elemechanism is provided for causing the seats to ments shown in Figure 4, particularly illustratengage and disengage the gate plate; a device in ing the relative positions of certain operating which the thrust for closing the seat is applied members when the gate plate and its seats are within the area of the seat so as to eliminate dein closed position, the showing of these elements iiectional distortion and warping of the seat; and in Figure 4 being when the plate and seats are 4Q a device in which a relatively wide opening is proin released position.

vided between the opposed seats in their open Referring particularly to the annexed drawings position so as to permit ready access for the purin which the same parts are indicated by the pose of cleaning, inspection, etc., although the same several numbers in the diiierent Views, two transverse slot between the conduit ends is comsections of a gas conduit, designated l and 2,

paratively small for devices of this character. respectively, have their adjacent ends slightly jog Also, I provide a movable member which must be spaced apart so as to provide a slot through which actuated to effect the sealing relation which is a gate plate 3 of the usual construction can be relatively light in Weight and which, in fact, comvertically reciprocated so as to permit passage prises in the embodiment shown and described of gas from one pipe section to another when practically only the seat element. I the usual registering aperture of the plate 3 is i025 In the particular embodiment of the invention in alignment with the open ends of the sections shown in the accompanying drawings and herei and 2, and shut off said sections from the pasinafter described, there are no rigid connections sage of gas therethrough when the imperforate between the two conduit sections, but only beportion of the plate 3 is interposed between the I tween a flange secured to one conduit section and adjacent open ends of the sections 1 and 2. 11o

is secured by bolts 19 and Suitably secured to the exterior surface of the pipe section l and adjacent the open end thereof is an annular angle 5, there being suitably secured to the adjacent pipe section 2 another annular angle member 6. Integrally secured to the angle 5 is an annular channel 44 having laterally extending legs of which a short leg 45 is secured flush with the extending flange of the angle 5 and a long leg 46 is extended outwardly from the periphery of the slot between the pipe sections 1 and 2. The outer lateral surface of the leg 46 of the annular channel 44 is formed with annular shoulders 10, and an annular longitudinally-spaced member 7, hereinafter more fully described, is formed with opposed similar shoulders 11, there being secured to the leg 46 and the member 7 within these respective pairs of shoulders 10 and l1 a pair of opposed corrugated spring diaphragms 8 and 9 forming seats adapted to be pressed closely against the opposite sides of the gate plate 3. The annular member 7` is connected with the angle 6 by an annular flexible plate l2 whereby any relative movement of the ends of the pipe sections 1 or 2 can be compensated for without disturbing the perfect seating of the seats 8 and 9 against the gate plate 3.

The support and mounting for the annular member 7 comprises an annular series of hub members 14 mounted on pins 16 having threaded stems 16 engaging the hub members 14, these hubs 14 having ears 15 secured by bolts 17 to the member 7, the flexible plate 12 being clamped adjacent its outer peripheral edge between the ears 15 and the member 7 `and being intersected by the threaded stems 16', the member 7 being formed with a plurality of recesses 7' for the reception of the ends of theA stems 17v when the hubs 14 are retracted in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter fully described. An annular gear housingy 18 having a chambered portion 22 spacing members 20 to, and a fixed distance from, the leg 46 of the annular channel 44, this gear housing 18 having a cover plate 21 fastened by bolts 23. An annular gear 24 is held in side plates or shroud plates 25 by bolts 26, the gear 24 being within 1 the annular housing 18 and being adapted to aotuate pinions 27 which are also enclosed by the housing 18 and are keyed to the pins 16. These pinions 27 are disposed between rollers 28 mounted in the housing 18 upon the pins 16 and spaced from the inner side of the housing 18 and the "face plate 21 by anti-friction thrust bearings 29 and 30, respectively. The rollers 28 engage the gear plates 25 and support the gear 24 and hold the latter in proper engagement with the pinions 27. The annular gear housing 18 is formed with an opening at its lower side terminating with a bottoni flange 3l to which is bolted a depending housing 32 having a cover plate 33 secured by bolts 34. Mounted in the housing 32 is a shaft 35 upon which is rotatably mounted a gear 36 engaging the annular gear 2'4.

endis a sprocket wheel 42 with which engages a chain 43 by means of which the sprocket wheel 42 can be operated. This operation through the chain of gearing described'eifects the 'rotation of the annular gear 24 and hence the inward and Also mounted in said housing 32 is a shaft 37 upon which is outward movement of the annular member 7 and the plate 3 to compress the seats 8 and 9 against the gate plate 3 or release said plate from said seats.

In addition to the .advantages hereinbefore set forth 'as objects of the invention, I direct particular attention to the fact that the entire actuating mechanism of my improved hot gas gate is applied to one side only of the gate plate so that the movement-producing elements may be applied to any portion of the surface of the plate. The operating mechanism of my improved gate is so mounted as to substantially eliminate the passage of heat from the hot conduit to this mechanism by conduction.

The thrust of the pins 16 is applied directly within the area of the seats 8 and 9 and not in- `rdirectly and at remote points, thus securing the full effect of the thrust and avoiding distortion. This'thrust is applied at a comparatively large number of closely spaced points. The construction and assembly of the elements shown and described permit this short direct application or" the thrust at many closely spaced points. So effective is this application of the thrust that if a spacing of pins 16 is used which does not exceed approximately one and one-half inches between centers, the annular member 7 may be dispensed with and the hub members 14 caused to impinge directly on the flexible diaphragm 12.

It will be noted that my improved seat elements comprise yielding elements oi" relatively large area, adapted to maintain the seats in gastight relation with the gate plate even when subjected to minor distortions and irregularities. Certain portions of these seat elements move radially as the seats move into engagement with the gate plate, thus producing a wiping action of certain of the seat portions upon the surface of the plate during the sealing operation. The concentric corrugations of which the seat elements are comprised provide a plurality of lines of contact which successively are caused to engage the gate plate. Y

Althoughthe corrugated formation of the seat members 8 and 9 provides an extremely safe means for closing the gas main absolutely tight under all circumstances, particularly when assisted by the flexible plate 12, and the positive closely-spaced ring of actuating pins 16, still it is evident that my improved construction provides means whereby any leakage of gas that might occur, when the gate is supposed to be shut, escapes into the atmosphere between the channel 44 and the housing 18, so that any workmen entering the gas main under the assumption that the gate is leak-proof would not be subjected to the dangers of asphyxiation or an explosion.

I have shown a special support 47 for my improved operating mechanism, but it is evident that such extra support is not necessary and this mechanism might be supported on the gas main.

lI do not limit myself to rigidly securing the operating mechanism to that seat member 46 which is rigidly connected to a conduit section, but might rigidly connect this operating mechanism to the seat member which is exibly connected with its conduitY section. Furthermore, both seat members might be exibly connected with the ends of their respective conduit sections .s

`so as to permit both sections to move axially and/or angularly with relation to their seats.

conduit section to which it is attached, inasmuch as certain parts of the improvements, particularly those relating to the operating mechanism, might be embodied in a hot gas gate of this character in which both seat members are rigidly mounted on their respective conduit sections. In the latter event, one or more flexible joints would be provided in one or both of the conduit sections to provide the necessary axial and/ or angular movements required to eiect the satisfactory functioning of the seats.

Where the circumstances are such that it is desired to provide only for the escape of uid from the conduit, the invention would lend itself to use with one open conduit end only, which conduit end would be controlled by a gate plate removed therefrom or shifted relative thereto for effecting the control.

What I claim is:

l. A hot gas gate for alined ends of coaxial conduits defining a transverse slot comprising means adaptable for attachment to the respective conduit ends and formed with longitudinallyspaced opposed seats, a plate adapted to be moved in the space between the seats, and means for moving the seats relative to each other to clamp against the plate, said last-mentioned means comprising a ring gear surrounding one of the conduits, means for rotating said ring gear, and means for transforming said rotation into thrust at right angles with the surface of said plate, the projected axis of said thrust intersecting said seats.

2. A hot gas gate for alined ends of coaxial conduits defining a transverse slot comprising opposed members forming the sides of the slot and being provided with seats, a plate adapted to be moved in the slot between the seats, a casing supported by one vof said members externally of the conduits, and means for clamping the plate in sealing relation with the seats, said means comprising a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted in the casing and having threaded engagement with one of said members, the projected axes of said shafts intersecting said seats, a pinion mounted upon each of said shafts, a ring gear engaging the rpinions, and means for actuating the ring gear.

3. A hot gas gate for the end or" a conduit comprising an annular transverse seat member, an annular casing adapted for connection with the conduit and projecting beyond the open end thereof, a plate movable across the conduit end and interposed between the casing and the seat, and operating mechanism for forcing the plate against the seat, said operating mechanism comprising a ring gear, a plurality of pinions operated thereby, a plurality of shafts actuated by said pinions toward and from the surface of the plate, the projected axes of said shafts intersecting said seat member, a plurality of rollers supporting the gear to hold it in engagement with the pinions, and means for actuating the gear, said operating mechanism being supported by the casing.

4. A hot gas gate for the end of a conduit comprising a transverse seat member, a casing adapted for connection with the conduit and projecting beyond the open end thereof, a plate movable across the conduit end and interposed between the casing and the seat, operating mechanism for forcing the plate against the seat, said operating mechanism comprising a plurality of elements mounted in the casing and operatively associated with said seat and each adapted to exert a rectilinear thrust at substantially right angles with the plane of the seat and Within the projected area of the seat, and means for actuating all of said elements uniformly.

5. A hot gas gate for alined ends of coaxial conduits defining a transverse slot comprising unitary means adaptable for attachment to the conduit ends and formed with longitudinallyspaced annular seats, a plate adapted to be moved in the space between the seats, means for moving the seats and the plate into sealing relation, said means comprising an annular series of closely adjacent screw elements having their axes parallel with the axis of the conduits and being substantially equidistant from said axis, and means for simultaneously actuating said screw elements, the projected axes of said screw elements intersecting said seats, and said unitary means supporting said sealing elements around one conduit end.

6. A hot gas gate for the end of a conduit comprising a support having an annular transverse resilient seat member fixed at its edges, a plate movable across the conduit end, and also movable parallel with the conduit axis to deflect the seat member, said seat member being formed of thin metal and disposed convexly toward the plate, certain portions of the seat member being adapted to move in a radial direction when the plate is forced against the seat, thus effecting a wiping action by the seat upon the plate.

7. A hot gas gate for the end of a conduit comprising a support having an annular transverse resilient seat member xed at its edges, a plate movable across the conduit end, and also movable parallel with the conduit axis to deflect the seat member, said seat member being formed with a plurality of concentric corrugations certain of which project farther from the conduit end than the others, whereby the plate engages the corrugations successively as it moves toward the seat.

8. A hot gas gate for the end of a conduit comprising an annular transverse member having an annular seat element iixed at its edges, said seat element being disposed as a whole concavely toward said transverse member and said seat element being formed of concentric corrugations, the tops of certain corrugations being spaced varying distances from the surface of said transverse member, a relatively at plate movable across the conduit end, said plate being juxtaposed to said seat element, and means for moving the plate parallel with the conduit axis to cause it successively to engage the corrugations.

9. A hot gas gate for alined ends of coaxial condints defining a transverse slot comprising unitary means adaptable for attachment to the conduit ends and formed with longitudinally-spaced opposed annular seats, a plate adapted to be moved in the space between the seats, and means for moving the seats and the plate into sealing relation, said means exerting a direct rectilinear thrust within the area of said seats, and said unitary mea-ns supporting said sealing means around one conduit end.

KARL F. JUENGLING. 

